The National Gun owners Association of Kenya (NGAO-Kenya) is currently putting up a great effort to ensure preparedness towards the 2021 IDPA Africa championships that will be held in Kenya from 2nd to 5th September. Part of these efforts included a scheduled training for the lady shooters in order to build and improve the team capacity and skills. The ladies training was conducted at the National Gun owners Association of Kenya range in Kirigiti, Kiambu county on the 7th August 2021.
The Training Session also saw Mr. Wanda Wayne Zama, South Africa champion in shooting hosting the class and sharing his vast knowledge on the sport that is indeed making gradual steps in growth and advancement here in Kenya. The South African Champ was actually invited to Kenya by the shooting association to assess the standard of The International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Shooting. "I've been impressed to see the ladies in the armed forces with their skill level." Said Mr. Zama. "I'm an advocate, that if you teach a woman, you teach a community, and what I've seen in Kenya exactly aligns with that vision. The ladies here are good shooters and our job is to take it to the next level. These ladies are true examples, my wish is that these ladies will inspire hope to every young girl in Africa to also consider the beautiful sport."
The 6 ladies actually compete in various categories with regards to the sport and had an adept training program. The ladies who attended the training are; Sharp shooter Belinda Akoth (Recce GSU) the top civilian Lady shooter , sharp shooter Elizabeth Cherono Onyango , Irene Nduna who is a member of the disciplined forces attached to the KDF, Agatha Muchiri also from KDF, Agnes Muchiri from DCI and Brenda Ojiambo from KDF.
"The Training has been wonderful, since we met Mr. Zama I learnt that we have a lot more to cover than what we've already done. I would love to encourage many more ladies who have access to arms to come and engage in the sport together. I'm foreseeing that in the next two to five years, the sport will be very competitive because many people are joining the sport and loving it." Said Belinda Akoth. The Sharpshooter who began the sport back in 2016 during the Annual Police Rifle meeting, at the Anti-Stock Theft Range in Gilgil. Belinda also promised a good show full of 'fireworks' come next month in the African Championships.
Speaking also to NGAO-Kenya Chairman, Mr. Martin Chengo, many words of encouragement were beamed towards the ladies. "The reason why we've gone for the ladies for this training is to actually demystify this sport as a man thing and encourage more ladies to come out here and shoot. The ladies are shooting very well and we expect a good performance at the championships."